Tag Archives: AFRICA

Africa CFTA-Continental Free Trade Area: A Mistake?

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Africa made headlines globally on March 21st, 2018 when forty-four African countries signed the CFTA at Kigali, Rwanda. The continent received numerous positive commendations from within and outside its shores. The CFTA was a decision adopted at the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2012. This agreement went into force on May 30th 2019, and the operational phase began at the dawn of July 7th, 2019 summit in Niamey, Niger. The CFTA is indeed commendable, because it is the largest free-trade agreement in terms of participating countries, only second to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This agreement is primarily publicized as a tool to unify the continent and boost intra-African trade, which will in turn provide employment opportunities thereby creating wealth for Africans; the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that this will boost intra-African trade by fifty-two percent (52%) by the year 2022, and currently intra-African trade is thirteen percent (13%) according to the African Union.

Ambitious agreements such as this, is historically a media jamboree, particularly its publicity to unify Africa and intra-African trade to offset part of what African countries trade with other continents. Example, the East African Community (EAC) was founded with the mission “to widen and deepen Economic, Political, Social and Cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of Eastern Africa”, The EAC was established to boost regional free-trade and integration. Its member states are Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan. But after nineteen years of existence; how important is the EAC in regard to the economic situation of the region? What is the situation report in terms of integration and regional trade?

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) established in 1980 with the mission “to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development through efficient, productive systems, deeper co-operation and integration, good governance, and durable peace and security; so that the region emerges as a competitive and effective player in international relations and the world economy”, and with the objectives to achieve economic development, peace and security, alleviate poverty, and enhance the standard and quality of life. SADC was also established to boost regional free-trade and integration. Its member countries are Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Seychelles, Namibia, Swaziland(Eswatini), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, and Mozambique. After 39 years of existence, what is the situation report in the region? What are the factual gains of the SADC since its establishment in integration and free-trade?

In light of the above, it applies to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Union (AU).

Secondly, in view of intra-African trade to offset part of what African countries trade with other continents. It is another media party, because what African countries trade with other continents is currently near impossible to trade it within Africa. What Africa trade outside are products of the extractive industry. Example, Angola, Cameroon, and Nigeria’s major export trade in value are crude petroleum and gas, and these products are exported mostly to North America, Europe, and Asia. Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia’s major export trade in value are copper, Gold, and Diamonds and it is exported mostly to Europe, Asia, and North America.

Thus, if these products are to be traded within Africa, where is the market? How many companies are in the continent capable to refine these products? How many companies are being licensed for operation to have these products as their raw materials for production? Are there investments with a view to build such companies within the continent? If there is, how many?

In import trade, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Niger’s major imports in value are refined petroleum, and packaged medicaments, and these products are mostly from Asia, and Europe. Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Angola’s major imports in value are ships, cars, planes, helicopters, machinery, delivery trucks, and refined petroleum, and these products are mostly from Asia, Europe, North and South America.

If these products are to be traded within Africa, where are the suppliers? How many companies are currently in the continent capable of supplying these products? How many companies are being licensed for operation to supply these products to meet the demands? Are there investments with a view to build such companies within the continent? If there is, how many?

Thirdly, it is undeniable that the continent is poor, which means consumers are poor. And if consumers are poor, the market is unprofitable even with a very large market size. African leaders famously cite the size of the African market as one basic reason for this ambitious agreement. They forget most of the consumers are extremely poor hence, purchasing in the continent is low. And if there is no profit, what is the essence of investment?

From the forgoing, the CFTA might be a brilliant initiative in a wrong time. Instead of this agreement that emancipated from the African Union, the union could have instituted an independent advisory and supervisory body of economic professionals, tasked to formulated and supervise policies peculiar to every African country with a view to improve the economic fortunes of every member state. Then, if the standard of living keeps improving across the continent, initiatives such as this could be considered.

References

//au.int/en/ti/cfta/about viewed on 2nd August, 2019.

//en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Continental_Free_Trade_Area viewed on 2nd August, 2019.

Poverty Alleviation Fallacy in Africa

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Since the independence of Africa, African governments has initiated several policies and programs with the aim of eradicating or at least mitigate the effects of poverty on the populace, but these promising initiatives appears to be reflective. The rate of poverty in Africa is contestably a continental identity. It is true, African policy makers are conscious of this fact, and important decisions are being made in respect of it, or at least in media briefings. Also, citizens aspiring for political positions have made it an anthem during electioneering campaigns.

Examples in election campaigns; the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election in Nigeria, the popularly acclaimed winner of the election Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola had the slogan “Farewell to Poverty” in his campaigns. During the 2015 Zambia presidential elections campaigns, president Edgar Lungu prioritized the eradication of poverty in Zambia, primarily through replacement of the constitution. In the 2002 Kenya presidential election campaigns, Mr. Simeon Nyachae promised the alleviation of poverty through economic and political change, in his words, “…agriculture had collapsed and this had subjected millions of Kenyans to abject poverty”. And every other African country has identified the prevalence of poverty.

Examples of poverty alleviation policies and programs; since 2016, Ghana is implementing the National Social Protection Policy, some of the programs under the policy are Cash Transfer System to Poor Households, Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty, Ghana School Feeding Program, and National Health Insurance. According to the Ghanaian government, the policy is primarily to alleviate or reduce poverty but currently, poverty is on a daily increase in Ghana (World Poverty Clock, 2018).

In same light, Tanzania formulated the National Poverty Eradication Strategy in 1998 and it was incorporated into the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 and some other policies. Some of the programs under this policy are, the Tanzania Mini Tiger Plan 2020 with the aim to support export-oriented and import substitution industries, and it is being implemented since 2005. Secondly, the Business Environment Strengthening (BEST) program with its implementation since 2005, targets the removal of institutional constraint that delay business approval, and some other programs targeting the eradication of poverty in Tanzania.

And almost every other African country have formulated and implemented similar poverty eradication and alleviation policies and programs of Ghana and Tanzania over the years.

Establishing the fact that African policy makers are conscious of the prevalence of poverty in the continent, and several policies and programs have been initiated and implemented, and many are currently being initiated, it is mystifying to keep noting poverty on its uninterrupted northward motion since independence.

In consideration of some of the policies with examples of Ghana and Tanzania, the poverty eradication and alleviation policies and programs are exploitation of vulnerable Africans by politicians for re-election purposes. For instance, how does feeding of primary school pupils translate to poverty eradication or alleviation? How do cash transfers of insignificant amount to poor households translate to poverty eradication or alleviation?

In Tanzania, the registration or formalization of businesses does not amount to neither poverty eradication nor alleviation. In Africa, most of the economy is in the informal terrain thus, reduction of poverty via employment opportunities does not require the formalization of businesses.

In addressing the scourge of poverty on the continent un-fallaciously, government policies should be centered on job creation. Policies should define job creation as an enterprise; the provision of employment opportunities should be a profit making mechanism for enterprises mostly financial institutions. For instance, government policies could be formulated with the aim opening of investment opportunities for existing enterprises and investors.

Example, the Angolan government could have a policy which says, the government will subsidize the transportation and promotion of goods of any enterprise that invest in rural agriculture; the rural areas could also be defined in the policy. With policies such as this, the dwellers in the defined rural areas will create wealth for themselves through their known means of livelihood and other multiplier impacts such as catering services because population will increase in those areas.

References

Agnes A. M., Twilumba M. “Poverty Eradication Programmes in Tanzania” Third Conference of the International Forum on Urban Poverty Nairobi (Kenya), 12-14 October 1999.

//ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-center/features/2863-national-social-protection-policy-to-address-poverty-social-inequalities-and-other-vulnerabilities

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The Mirage of Africa’s Economic Growth

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In recent times, Africa has made headlines positively, hosting some of the fastest growing economies globally, according to the African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This news has been received with jamborees at governmental and institutional pedestals; the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) remarked “the state of the continent is good. Africa’s general economic performance continues to improve”. It is indeed worth celebrating in consideration of statistical figures, but these figures don’t reflect the reality of the state of things in regards to the welfare of Africans concerned.

According to the 2019 figures, half of the world’s fastest growing economies in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is in Africa, and it is led by Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana, Benin, Kenya, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. In an understandable economic explanation, an increase in GDP means there is an increase in economic activities which is, new businesses have started operations and existing businesses are expanding. The introduction of new and expansion of current businesses means, more employment opportunities have been created and poverty rate will certainly reduce.

But in Africa, the positive repercussions of its economic growth is nothing more than a documentation of international institutions, a melodious music in the ears of African policy makers, and a wish, in the thoughts of the citizens. Figures from World Bank have proven that the economic fortunes of Africa translate to poverty on majority of its citizens, and these figures at best reflects only half of the situation in the continent.

According to the World Poverty Clock 2018 data, Africa is a host of thirteen of the fifteen countries where extreme poverty is on a continuous rise. This indicates that, the merriment at the African governmental and institutional level is an agony at the homes of its citizens. According to the report of the World bank, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, South Sudan, Zambia, Ghana and Mauritania are the best in hosting people that are extremely poor.

From the foregoing, the report was only for extremely poor people and not the entire poor population. If the entire poor population is to be added, majority of African countries would be celebrated for having over eighty percent of their population poor. Also, it is preposterous to see Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to be among the countries with extreme poverty; these countries have recorded at a minimum of three years of the said positive economic growth, and now a 2018 report indicts them of being important players in poverty? It is absolutely absurd!

The celebrated economic growth in an ocean of poor people in the continent, is a confirmation that the reported growth statistically, is not of a result of favorable policies being implemented by African policy makers. The statistical growth has no contributions from decisions made by African governments; the growth is a default as a result of international politics and economic competitions of influential countries.

Therefore, the reported growth is a consequence of the rise of commodity prices at international market, and African governments have no influence on the prices. It is factual that, African economies are reliant on the export of mineral commodities, and these commodities are the economy of Africa.

Example, in 2017, sixty-six percent (66%) of Ghana’s total exports in value comprises of Gold and Crude oil, seventy-four percent (74%) Zambia’s total export in value was copper, over eight-nine percent (89.8%) of Nigeria’s total exports in value comprises of Crude oil and Gas, Gold makes over twenty-nine percent (29.3%) of Tanzania’s total exports, over ninety percent (92.9%) of Angola’s exports in value comprises of Crude oil and Gas. In South Africa, Gold, Diamonds and Platinum made up over thirty percent (32.7%) of total exports in value.

Hence, in considerations of facts in regards to the welfare of Africans, there is no economic growth that deserves a jamboree. If there should be a merriment of economic growth, it should be at the households of African families in the continent.

Reference

1. ‘Colonialism Reappraised’ by Samasi Anderson, PowerPoint presentation at the 4th annual Lagos Studies Association Conference, 2017. //www.slideshare.net/SAMASIANDERSON/colonialism-reappraised

2. //www.africa.com/afdb-report-africas-2019-economic-outlook/

3.//www.businessinsider.co.za/fastest-growing-economies-in-africa-2019-1

4. //qz.com/africa/1313380/nigeria-has-the-highest-rate-of-extreme-poverty-globally/

Building A Socio-Economic Equitable African Society

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Finance is the driver of economic activities and serves as a medium of exchange in today’s world. A society that provides equitable socio-economic opportunity is built on a viable financial system, because the system provides the necessary funding for amenities such as good roads, good health facilities, and affordable credit facilities. For instance, the most equitable countries have some of the biggest financial institutions, e.g. the HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, etc. of the United Kingdom; Citi Group, JP Morgan, Berkshire Hathawa, etc. of the United States of America; AXA, Societe Generale, BNP Paribas, etc. of France; the Chinese I.C.B.C, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, etc.

But unfortunately, Africa is deficient in this respect. African governments look outside the continent in search of funds for developmental projects, because the financial system in the continent is not viable.

Nations receiving loans from outside Africa’s borders have a negative repercussion on the continent. A research project by Halima Ibrahim, University of Nairobi, Kenya “Effect of External Public Debt on Economic Growth: An Empirical Analysis of East African Countries”, established that external debt has a negative effect on economic growth, while domestic debt has no significant effect. According to the paper, some of the effects of external debt are that it increases a large proportion of tax revenue that has to be used to repay foreign loans. This constrains the funds available for investment in the development projects that African countries need to improve their economic growth.

Also, repayment of external debt leads to the depreciation of local currencies, thereby increasing inflation in African countries that are net importers. As a result, GDP growth declines. This decline is likely to be high if the proceeds of external debt are mismanaged or invested in unproductive ventures, which in turn constrains access to funds for servicing debts and others.

African society is incontestably inequitable socio-economically. This is particularly true in sub- Saharan Africa, where there is noted lack of amenities such as good roads, affordable credit facilities, health system, education, water, and power. Africa as a continent lacks a buoyant financial system that can shoulder its demands. Hence, the viability of its financial system is pertinent in having a society that is serene and fair on the socio-economic level.

Advance Payment Tax System

One policy that is essential in having such a financial system is an Advance Payment Tax System. This is a system where payment of future taxes is made at the present. For instance, individuals and organisations can pay taxes for five or ten years in the first year. This system does not stop the regular annual or monthly tax payment system in an economy. Both tax payment systems are choices to be made by the tax payers.

However, individuals and organisations have a choice to either subscribe to advance payment or annual, monthly payment systems. Subscription to advance payment tax system by tax payers is a risk both on the part of the tax payer and of the fiscal authorities. These payments are made relying on predictions of future economic environment, hence any shift in the economic environment will either be a loss for the fiscal authorities and gain for the tax payer – or the opposite.

Thus, this tax payment system makes more money available at the disposal of government for infrastructure and socio-economic development. African governments adopting this system will reduce the acquisition of loans outside Africa, if prudently managed. At the same time, it puts more money in commercial banks and other financial institutions, keeping the financial system alive. Some percentage of these advance taxes are paid directly into “soft bonds” as investment within the economy. Soft bonds are low profile bonds issued by individuals, small and medium organisations or enterprises…

Considering Economic Diversification in Africa

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    Rhetoric around the benefits of diversification of revenue and industrialisation of African economies is in vogue for reports, conferences, debates and television shows, but implementation has been slow to unfold.

    What we hear proposed are implementable, theoretical foundation approaches to the diversification of revenue source and industrialization of African economies. They speak to the theoretical intricacies, dynamics and policies of economic diversification and industrialization in an African economic climate.

    The African business and economic environment is absolutely different from the other economic contemporary environments. Africa still struggles with limitations to infrastructure, education, institutions, governance and financial markets. The economic structure in Africa is different from the others in the western and Asian world, hence the manner and approach to African economies must be different if African economies should be diversified and industrialised.

    The popular idea of moving African economies from a land-based extraction-oriented economy relying on oil, gold, diamonds, tin and other to engage multiple economies will be a delusion if the determinants to industrialisation such as markets, enterprises, education, funding of key areas, regulations, and transportation and communication infrastructures are not clearly defined.

    Without communication and transportation infrastructure, economics will not be in existence. Communication and transportation are pillars of an economy. In industrialising and diversifying African economies, means of communication and transportation should be easily accessible to all consumers and branches of the economy.

    The leading means of modern communication is the internet, but most parts of Africa don’t have access to it. The internet is costly to afford in Africa. In the present landscape of communication in Africa, radio, television, postal service, cell phones, magazines and newspapers are affordable and offer easy to access almost to all. Hence, the next step for policy makers is to make and implement policies that will ensure these means of communication remain affordable and accessible. For instance, policy makers can easily start and fund local radio stations, newspapers, postal services and magazines. Also they can make available voice call and short messaging service (SMS) cell phones to all by direct investment in such production companies, as well as continue opening up the internet sector for private investors in order to make it accessible and affordable to all as time progresses.

    With this communication infrastructure in place, enterprises and their potential customers can easily and freely communicate with each other, making business alive. Thus, to have a healthy economy, good communication infrastructure is vital.

    Among the numerous means of transportation, the affordable, easy to access option for most of Africa is road transportation. Governments or policy makers should prioritise roads far above other means presently, if the economies are to be industrialised and diversified.

    Roads are easy and cheap to build and maintain. Roads should be built to every settlement that is not an island in an economy. In cases of islands, ferryboats should be made available through government investment and
    grants to local craftsmen and engineers, as the option of using local expertise is less costly.

    Building roads to all settlements could involve construction with concrete, asphalt and bitumen. In Africa, roads are commonly built with asphalt and bitumen, but these products are mostly imported to Africa, making it more costly.
    Concrete is an available alternative. Concrete is made in Africa, making it economically attractive compared to bitumen and asphalt. The quality of roads built using any of the materials is the same. Concrete may even be better, if roads can be built to every settlement in an economy within a short period of time.

    5 AMAZING PLACES TO VISIT WHEN IN ZIMBABWE

    Posted on Categories LIFESTYLE & ARTS, TRAVEL2 Comments on 5 AMAZING PLACES TO VISIT WHEN IN ZIMBABWE

    Zimbabwe is a stunning African country, with lush national parks, stunning rivers and waterfalls, diverse wildlife and so much more. There are a million things you can do in Zimbabwe, but we’re only going to take a look at 5 of them. If you’re planning a trip to this African country and you don’t know where to start, here are BookAllSafaris.com’s recommendations on things to do in Zimbabwe.

     

    Hwange National Park

    Zimbabwe travel is synonymous to African safaris! It’s one of the best safari destinations in Africa and Hwange National Park is the gold standard of African national parks and it’s also the largest natural reserve in Zimbabwe. Founded in 1928, Hwange National Park is home to a whopping 400 bird and 100 mammal species, including eight large carnivores and 19 large herbivores. If you want a traditional African safari experience, Hwange will offer you just that! Cecil the lion used to live there, until it was lured outside of the park and was killed by an American hunter.

    Victoria Falls National Park

    CNN included Victoria Falls on their list of Seven Natural Wonders of the world. Located between Zambia and Zimbabwe, at its center, Victoria Falls measures 355 ft (108 m) in height and has an average flow rate of 38,430 cu ft/s (1088 m3/s). It is an impressive and stunning waterfall, a simply must-see travel destination, one of the greatest curtains of falling water in the world. Why not throw a safari in the mix and do both? With this safari and Victoria Falls adventure, you get the best of both experiences!

    Kuimba Shiri Bird Sanctuary

    A mere 20-minute drive from Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, you will find the Kuimba Shiri Bird Sanctuary. Located on the shore of the Chivero lake, the sanctuary houses over 460 bird species. The Kuima Shiri Bird Sanctuary was founded 20 years ago, by Gary Stafford and it helps injured, sick or abandoned birds from all over the country. Tourists are encouraged to interact with the birds through daily bird flying activities, and bird shows where tourists can witness the awesome birds of prey hunting fish from the lake. The sanctuary is a lovely, tranquil place that is also suited for families with children, as it has pony rides and various other children activities.

    Wild and Life Trust and ZEN

    Located in Harare, Wild and Life Trust, or WILT, is an Animal Sanctuary that takes care of rescued wildlife, the injured, the orphaned and even some protected and endangered species. As a visitor, you get to engage with animals with which otherwise wouldn’t even have the chance to. There’s one thing to see a giraffe on a safari, and another thing to be able to get close to it and pet it. According to their website, booking is essential and while the tickets are quite pricey (one ticket for an adult is $95, for teens 12 to 16 years, $80, and children under 12 years need to pay $50), the 266 excellent reviews on TripAdvisor guarantee you will have the time of your life at WILT.

    Avondale Flea Market

    If you’ve had enough of trekking through national parks or you feel as you have seen your fair share of wild animals, we recommend you take a spin through the Avondale Flea Market in Harare. It’s a big flea market, where you can find pretty much anything, from electronics, to souvenirs, clothes and jewelry. If you’ve never been to a flea market, the whole haggling concept might throw you off your groove, but worry not, you’ll get the hang of it quickly! You can find cheap souvenirs, artwork and whatever else you want, but we do suggest you bring a guide or a local with you if you’ve never been to a flea market. Happy shopping!

    ORIGINALLY ARPPERED IN AFRICA

    ELISHA OWUSU AKYAW, A 16-YEAR OLD GHANAIAN IS CASHING IN BIG ON BITCOIN

    Posted on Categories LIFESTYLE & ARTS, TECHNOLOGY4 Comments on ELISHA OWUSU AKYAW, A 16-YEAR OLD GHANAIAN IS CASHING IN BIG ON BITCOIN

    Currently, Elisha is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Token Media, a cryptocurrency marketing firm he set up in 2017 to help blockchain projects reach their target audience.

     Although his business is relatively small, he has worked with local financial firms to develop their projects. Token Media, according to Bitcoinafrica.io, has helped raise over $40 million in token sales through its marketing services.

    Elisha got into technology at age 12 after he received a mobile device that could access the internet. By exploring it, he was able to create a website all by himself.

    One of his first works was building a commercial blog for Firefox OS, Mozilla’s mobile operating system (firefoxcentral.com), but when the project ended he had to venture into other areas in technology which landed him into cryptocurrency, blockchain technology and Bitcoin.

    “I got into the tech space sometime in 2013. I had my second phone after using a Nokia 3310 so I got access to the internet and began to explore what mobile phones, operating systems and websites were all about and in 2014 I learned how to create websites on my own through YouTube,” he said.

    The Bitcoin fever is sweeping across Africa and young people especially males are investing in it. A report by financial services company Citibank ranked Kenya as the fifth highest bitcoin holder per capita in the world. Nigeria was placed third and South Africa took the sixth position.

    Observers have blamed the soaring interest in Bitcoin on the high unemployment rate in Africa. Others believe it’s all about fighting the feeling of not being left behind as young people.

    For Elisha, it seems combining his education and entrepreneurship is just a slice of the challenges he faces as an entrepreneur.

    His major setback has been the difficulties of moving money as there are few platforms in Africa that support cryptocurrency integration.

    At the moment, Elisha is putting together a blockchain event with a heavy focus on cryptocurrency to raise discussions on regulations and the future of cryptocurrency in Africa.

    “The future of cryptocurrencies in Africa is bright as it has moved from just being currencies into various useful platforms that will be essential to the African continent. I’m currently working on putting together an event on cryptocurrencies with a particular focus on regulations, the future of cryptocurrencies and how they can help Africa,” he added.

    Ghana is gradually catching up with the Bitcoin fever as the country hosted its first blockchain conference last November.

     

    ORIGINALLY APPEARED OF  FACE2FACEAFRICA

    EXCLUSIVE: MEET CELEBRITY STYLIST AND THE MASTER MIND BEHIND ‘FEAR NO MAN’ CLOTHING

    Posted on Categories PEOPLE & PLACES3 Comments on EXCLUSIVE: MEET CELEBRITY STYLIST AND THE MASTER MIND BEHIND ‘FEAR NO MAN’ CLOTHING

    Ever genuinely wondered how, where or when to kick start a career in fashion styling? For you, maybe, you are just looking to satisfy your curiosity about the people behind some of the biggest brands in the fashion industry. Either ways, you’re in luck with one.

    Hold my beer…..

    Team Lyfe republic hooked up with top fashion stylist Prince Boamah Kuleape, and talked about how he got into styling, the workflow, his ambitions, and much more. For the past 5 years, Mr. Boamah has been running the KULAPERRYOUTLOOK (boutique) and for him, working in fashion doesn’t seem like a career choice, but a fate that he just couldn’t resist. With years of professional styling experience, Kula Perry has styled some of our favorite music videos and celebrities. He tells us that his career has been a journey with many lessons learned, attesting to the fact that nothing comes easily.

    After enduring Accra’s annoying traffic, the team is finally settling in for a great interview with Kulaperry, the celebrity stylist. He is in high spirits, and we already start throwing questions at him. However, like a typical Ghanaian host, he suspends his answers and offers some good wine.

    We accept and take sips, still dying to hear him give us answers already!

    Grinning with finesse, he answers the first question.

    Q: Tell us a bit about the person or team behind your brand

    A: Kulaperry is the person behind FEAR NO MAN. A brand developer, stylist and the lead creator for FEAR NO MAN. Once driven by enthusiasm for the FEAR NO MAN brand and has eagle eye for fashion.

    Q: Tell us about your brand (FEAR NO MAN)

    A: The FEAR NO MAN clothing line is one of the composites of Kula Perry clothing. Kula Perry clothing is however comprised of three lines, which are fear no man, Royalty and Loyalty.
    The FEAR NO MAN clothing line logo portrays a white human face with a red strip across the eyes of the face. The logo represents the African heritage. The color white was chosen for the face because it stands for cleanliness and purity while the red color for the strip represents the toil, hustle and struggle of Africans endured in achieving their dreams. The entirety of the logo simply seeks to highlight on the practice of seeing and speaking no evil. FEAR NO MAN is a line that stands as a symbol for people who fear nobody except God.

    Q: How was the start up of (fearnoman)

    A: The brand was officially launched in 2017 but has been under feasibility study and research for the past 5 years. The brand has a 15 years development plan. The whole idea was carefully planned. Starting with a few tee-shirt which I wore around and that got the attention of the people. Gradually, they wanted it. We had to focus on that and design different merch.

    Q: Can u describe briefly how your outfits are made? Are they all made here in Ghana?

    A: The designs are based on my personal life experiences with the idea of evicting Fear and inspiring Hope and no they are made outside Ghana, depending on the type of merch.

    Q: Why are you in this particular business?

    A: Because fashion is a lifestyle and there’s more to it than making money. It changes life

    Q: Is it profitable?

    A: Yes, so far as it pays me and enables me to help others

    Q: How long were you running the business before you started paying yourself?

    A: Started paying myself after the first year, because a lot went into marketing and brand positioning.

    Q: Where do you see your brand in the nearest future?

    A: It will be the biggest household brand worldwide. Rubbing shoulders with Adidas, Supreme, Gucci etc.

    Q: What are the three hard to spot pitfalls that are critical to avoid in your field?

    A: Avoid loans. Avoid negative energy and avoid imitating other people’s work.

    Q: What’s that thing you’ve told yourself that kept you going during your darkest hour?

    A: God is able.

    Q: What advice do you have for those out there who want to set up their own businesses too

    A: First of all ,every young individual hoping to be successful, should believe in God. Do a lot of research into what they want to do

    Q: Any special story u want to share?

    A: No,but what I would like to share is that, every talented individual should believe in God and keep pushing with passion

    Q: How do people reach you if interested in your brand?

    A: Anyone can reach me through the following….
    Social Media:IG;(@fearnomanclothing/ @kulaperry)
    Facebook:KulaperryGh
    Snapchat:Kulaperry

    Locate his outlook(s) at Madina Ritz Junction Office, North Kaneshie, adjacent Charter House, Manghin road or contact him on +233244102888/ +233576837911

    VIDEO: WHY IN NAMIBIA’S HOT WEATHER,THE HERERO WOMEN STILL ADORN HEAVY DRESSES ADOPTED FROM THEIR OPPRESSORS

    Posted on Categories FASHION, STYLE5 Comments on VIDEO: WHY IN NAMIBIA’S HOT WEATHER,THE HERERO WOMEN STILL ADORN HEAVY DRESSES ADOPTED FROM THEIR OPPRESSORS

    In Namibia, where the average temperature in the summer is 80 degrees, Herero women deck themselves out with long sleeves and petticoats. Their gorgeous dresses, elaborate headpieces, and vibrant patterns showcase their pride in their identity, all the while alluding to the suffering they’ve endured within the past 100 years — including a genocide that nearly wiped them out.

    But what produced the Herero sense of style is clearly known. In the late 19th century, the Germans took possession of “German South Africa” (nowadays Namibia). They then systematically appropriated Herero grazing land and brought Herero people in to work for them. The wives of the German colonialists and missionaries took upon themselves to teach the women working in their houses how to dress “properly”.

    The Herero people resisted expropriation for many years and started a “great rebellion” that ended with their near destruction in the early 1900s. One would think that the Hereros would have rejected a style of dressing imposed by the colonialists, yet the Herero women embraced it fully and to this day have fiercely protected their dress as a crucial part of their cultural identity.

    Herero dress is important to their personal identities, and individual, clan, and national expressions of remembrance and protest.

    So even in Namibia’s tropical climate, Herero ladies wear heavy dresses, reflecting the style of the Victorian period with numerous petticoats worn to add roundness to their skirts.Though it’s evolved in the past century, much of the ensemble’s main features have endured: floor-sweeping hemlines, long sleeves, petticoats (which can total up to 24 meters of fabric), and signatures like bold, waxed prints, fringed capes, and a horned hat that honors the Herero’s cow herding roots. 

    One can see them while visiting Herero villages but also in larger cities, like in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital. The dresses are hand-sewn, with women adding their own personal flair, and are topped off with an elaborate horn-shaped headgear sometimes made of a matching fabric. The headdress is said to represent the horns of the cattle, which are so important to the Himba and Herero communities. These elaborate dresses also convey social status as only married women wear them. (Unmarried women wear more typical, modern western clothes.) Also, the size of the hat is an indication of the size of cattle herd own by the family; a larger hat suggests a more prosperous family. The Herero women take enormous pride in their outfits.

    VIDEO CREDIT: Refinery29

    STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! WATCH KENDRICK LAMAR X SZA’S BLACK PANTHER ” ALL STARS” VIDEO

    Posted on Categories LIFESTYLE & ARTS, MUSIC10 Comments on STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! WATCH KENDRICK LAMAR X SZA’S BLACK PANTHER ” ALL STARS” VIDEO

    Kendrick Lamar and SZA  are leaders of an otherworldly African universe in these visuals for “All The Stars” off of the Black Panther soundtrack, Black Panther The Album. The music video for All The Stars was released on Tuesday.

    The video, highlights the glory of African cultures as Kendrick journeys from a literal sea of black hands paving the way for him through scenes of strikingly beautiful black people.

    It begins and ends with a galaxy of stars in the shape of the continent that SZA dances in throughout the video. It also showcases dance, vibrant African-print clothing, traditional tribal body paint and royals dripping in gold.

    “All the Stars,” directed by Dave Myers and the little homies, glorifies aspects of Africa that are rarely seen in mainstream industries and does so flawlessly.

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